Stephen, my dude... you know the Bible infinitely more than i do... i don't even believe Jesus is real. I'd have to read it again and see how i interpret the stuff in the Bible.. but the Bible is so boring so please don't make me research.
I am not asking you to or making you do anything. But it helps if you knew a little about what your commenting on before commenting.
This was interesting from you:
i don't even believe Jesus is real.
I believe a Jesus existed and that he believed he was rightful heir to the throne of David. Or those that put him forward for the job did. I don't believe he was a son of a god in the silly biological sense that Christians believe and will have us believe. Being called "son of god" is/was nothing more that a title. Emperor means exactly the same thing. The whole nation of Israel were called sons of god HERE> Exodus 4:22. King Solomon was a "son of god", I Chronicles 22:9-10 , David was " a son of god"Psalms 2:7
but these are the little facts that Christian elders and Christians on this forum wish to keep from their flock.
but the Bible is so boring
Christians rely on people just like you that don't read the bible for themselves "because it is boring". They rely on people just like you for a living. They can guide their congregations to what verses they should turn to. Have the verse read out-loud to them and then have it all explained to them in one fashion or another. The explanation will change from Pastor to Pastor, from Priest to Priest and Chaplain to Chaplain. For most of the time they are "just passing on" what they have been taught or heard.
Read this from the horses mouth>>
#20 " in most parts are merely passing on the teaching of what i have received."<<< those are the words of a fully trained and educated Pastor and Chaplain on this forum, who is also a lawyer and trained in many languages that teaches at universities. I have shown him that he doesn't know his scripture too.
But what they also do is steer the congregation away from the more problematic, contradictory and ambiguous verses that they cannot explain away with nothing other than " god works in mysterious ways".
Do you believe that all the money for all of those beautifully designed gothic and medieval churches came from god? Donations for forgiveness was thought up by priests not gods.
The point of this thread was to show that the idea that a blood sacrifice was need is proven by the bible itself to be bullshite.
You may have missed this>.
I have mentioned a few times now that it was never a case that Jesus came to die for our forgiveness that we may live and dwell in "paradise/heaven". But like many claims made by Christians the bible has it own way of debunking what they claim and believe.
First of all Jesus claims that he was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. Matthew 15:24. These would be the 12 Jewish tribes that made up Israel, gods " son". Exodus 4:22 and not some tribe from a remote island in the Pacific or South American rain forest.
No, we are talking Palestine in the time of the failed messiah Jesus, also known as - the Christ. And, it appears that Jesus was very much alive and well,and not dead or even resurrected when he started going around forgiving people at will, and the bible makes this clear. And the bible always has a knack for contradicting what later Christians come believe without reason.
The bible clearly states that Jesus said to people "your sins are forgiven". Example Mark 2:5 to the paralysed man ; "“Son, your sins are forgiven.” see also Matthew 9:4-7
This was blasphemy according to the priesthood , "He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Mark 2:7. Jesus 's response to this charge comes via Mark 2:10
"the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins": and we can see from this that Jesus it appears was forgiving people on a regular basis.
The priesthood had notched up another charge to level against him but non the less, Jesus carried on going around just forgiving people all over the place and even while he hung on the cross, which is interesting for another reasons when we take the time to read the words Jesus is said to have actually spoke:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). Amazing isn't it. Jesus asks god to forgive his mockers and persecutors. Why? Why didn't Jesus himself forgive them as he had been forgiving others including those that hung by his side!?
Anyway, regardless. Jesus, the BIBLE states , was forgiving people even before he was arrested and crucified showing that there was absolute no reason for a blood sacrifice to forgive sins..